City Official Says He Was Fired For Fighting Convention Hotel

February 21, 1993|By Knight-Ridder/Tribune.

ATLANTIC BEACH, S.C. — Pete Johnson, the former town administrator of Atlantic Beach, S.C., says he was fired this month because he opposed Mayor Joe Montgomery's plans to allow developers to build a convention hotel in town.

Montgomery wouldn't comment on why Johnson was fired, but he did say he has found a new administrator.

But the mayor did say he is negotiating with several companies about the prospect of an oceanfront convention hotel.

"I'm talking to several developers from as far away as Virginia," Montgomery said. "I talk to developers almost every day about projects."

Montgomery wouldn't elaborate about which specific developers had contacted him.

Johnson said he opposes the convention hotel is because it would hurt the town's residents, especially blacks.